Arielle Grasser — Relics

Wooden Relics, supposedly parts of the original cross on which Jesus was crucified, have been found all around the world. But if one were to attempt to assemble these parts, there would be too many fragments to form one cross. Arielle Grasser had made an inventory of all of these relics, creating a book mapping their locations. Then, imagining an alternative scenario for the end of Jesus’ life, she built a (2.5 × 4 m) boat with the same wood these crosses were originally made of. In doing so she has given the relics a new function highlighting the way history can be manipulated. ‘My work explores the construction of myths and how they are fuelled by interpretations, rumours, false information, fake artefacts or a lack of information. My aim is to bring new light to old stories and show the viewer that there is always an element of imagination and falseness hidden behind the representations that surround us. I use different materials and media in order to embody my stories and make them come true, choosing the materials that best fits the fiction or myth I am working with.’

Materials:WoodMdfSteelPaperGolden brass

Cv:2015 to present — Artist in residence and designer2017 — Collaboration with Vytautas Jankauskas (project accepted at Arc Research Residency in Switzerland and Residency at Chateau Ephemere in France 2017)